81 FR 35657 - Airworthiness Directives; Ameri-King Corporation Emergency Locator Transmitters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 107 (June 3, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Ameri-King Corporation emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) as installed on various aircraft. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of ELT failure. This proposed AD was also prompted by a report of noncompliance to quality standards and manufacturer processes related to Ameri-King Corporation ELTs. Failure to adhere to these standards and processes could result in ELTs that do not function. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the ELT for discrepancies; repetitive checks, tests, and verifications, as applicable, to ensure that the ELT is functioning; and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also allows for optional replacement of affected ELTs and, for aircraft on which an ELT is not required by operating regulations, optional removal of affected ELTs. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct nonfunctioning ELTs, which could delay or impede the rescue of the flightcrew and passengers after an emergency landing.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35657-35661]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6673; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-092-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Ameri-King Corporation Emergency 
Locator Transmitters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Ameri-King Corporation emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) as 
installed on various aircraft. This proposed AD was prompted by 
multiple reports of ELT failure. This proposed AD was also prompted by 
a report of noncompliance to quality standards and manufacturer 
processes related to Ameri-King Corporation ELTs. Failure to adhere to 
these standards and processes could result in ELTs that do not 
function. This proposed AD would require repetitive

[[Page 35658]]

inspections of the ELT for discrepancies; repetitive checks, tests, and 
verifications, as applicable, to ensure that the ELT is functioning; 
and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also allows for 
optional replacement of affected ELTs and, for aircraft on which an ELT 
is not required by operating regulations, optional removal of affected 
ELTs. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct nonfunctioning 
ELTs, which could delay or impede the rescue of the flightcrew and 
passengers after an emergency landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Ameri-King 
Corporation, 17881 Sampson Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; telephone: 
714-842-8555; fax: 714-842-4235; Internet: http://ameri-king.com; 
email: [email protected]. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6673; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gilbert Ceballos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5372; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-6673; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-092-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received multiple reports of ELT failure (73 reported ELT 
failures). We also received a report of noncompliance to quality 
standards and manufacturer processes related to Ameri-King Corporation 
ELTs. Failure to adhere to these standards and processes could result 
in ELTs that do not function. ELT failure, if not corrected, could 
delay or impede the rescue of the flightcrew and passengers after an 
emergency landing.

Emergency Cease and Desist Order Issued to Ameri-King Corporation

    We have determined that Ameri-King Corporation manufactured, sold, 
or distributed parts and articles that do not conform to an approved 
design but were represented as FAA-approved for installation on FAA 
type-certificated aircraft. Investigation of the production issues 
identified that Ameri-King Corporation violated multiple FAA 
regulations and falsified documents used to show compliance with FAA 
regulations. Therefore, we issued an emergency cease and desist order, 
dated December 28, 2015, to Ameri-King Corporation that terminates 
their technical standard order authorization (TSOA) and parts 
manufacturer approval (PMA).
    The FAA's emergency cease and desist order requires Ameri-King 
Corporation to immediately cease and desist manufacturing, selling, and 
distributing any articles for installation on FAA type-certificated 
aircraft, which would include advertising, repairing, rebuilding, and 
altering any articles intended for installation on type certificated 
products. Any parts and articles produced by Ameri-King Corporation 
before December 28, 2015, may not conform to an approved design. Any 
parts and articles produced by Ameri-King Corporation on or after that 
date were produced without an FAA production approval and contrary to 
the FAA's emergency cease and desist order.
    We might consider additional rulemaking to address other parts and 
articles that were produced by Ameri-King Corporation with falsified 
testing records and without complying with its FAA-mandated quality 
assurance procedures; such non-compliant parts and articles could 
result in an unacceptable hazard to aviation safety.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-450, ``INSTALLATION 
& OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision A, dated October 18, 1995; and Ameri-
King Corporation Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION 
MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 5, 2014. The service information 
describes procedures for inspections of the ELT for discrepancies; 
checks, tests, and verifications to ensure the ELT is functioning; and 
corrective actions. Corrective actions include replacing affected 
parts. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-450, ``INSTALLATION & OPERATION 
MANUAL,'' Revision A, dated October 18, 1995; and Ameri-King

[[Page 35659]]

Corporation Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' 
Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 5, 2014; specify accomplishing certain 
inspections of the ELT but do not specify corrective actions for any 
finding of the following discrepancies: Unsecured fastener or 
mechanical assembly, cuts or abrasions on the coaxial cable outer 
jacket, corrosion on the ``BNC'' connectors and mating plug on the 
antenna and the ELT main unit, wear or abrasion on the modular cable 
outer jacket, corrosion on the jack and plug of the modular connecting 
cable, and corrosion on the battery compartment. This proposed AD would 
require repairing any discrepancy found during the inspections.
    Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-450, ``INSTALLATION & OPERATION 
MANUAL,'' Revision A, dated October 18, 1995, specifies doing a 
functional test, a verification that the G-switch is working, and an 
activation check, but does not specify corrective actions for any 
findings. If there are any findings during the test, verification, or 
check, this proposed AD would require replacing the affected ELT with 
another serviceable FAA-approved ELT.
    Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND 
OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 5, 2014, specifies 
doing an operational test, G-switch and antenna checks, a digital 
message verification, a registration verification, and verification of 
ELT and global positioning system (GPS) interface, but does not specify 
corrective actions for any findings. If there are any findings during 
the test, checks, or verifications, this proposed AD would require 
replacing the affected ELT with another serviceable FAA-approved ELT.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 14,500 ELTs installed on 
various aircraft of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                        Labor cost                      Cost per product                          Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections, checks, tests, and     2 work-hours x $85 per      $170 per inspection cycle..............  $2,465,000 per inspection cycle.
 verifications.                      hour = $170 per
                                     inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspections, checks, tests, and verifications. We have no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                       Labor cost                Parts cost             Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement......................  4 work-hours x $85 per     Between $600 and $1,500.  Between $940 and $1,840.
                                    hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Ameri-King Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2016-6673; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NM-092-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Ameri-King Corporation Model AK-450-( ) and 
AK-451-( ) series emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). This 
appliance is installed on, but not limited to, aircraft identified 
in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.

[[Page 35660]]



  Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--Certain Aircraft That Might Have
                         Affected ELTs Installed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Aircraft                             ELT model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus rotorcraft...................  AK-451.
American Champion Aircraft Corp.      AK-450 and AK-451.
 airplanes.
Aviat Aircraft Inc. airplanes.......  AK-450.
Beechcraft Corporation airplanes....  AK-451.
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada        AK-451.
 Limited rotorcraft.
Bombardier Inc. airplanes...........  AK-451.
Cessna Aircraft Company airplanes...  AK-451.
Cirrus Design Corporation airplanes.  AK-451.
Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.      AK-450 and AK-451.
 airplanes.
Eclipse Aerospace Inc. airplanes....  AK-451.
Embraer S.A. airplanes..............  AK-451.
KitFox Aircraft LLC (formerly         AK-450.
 SkyStar Aircraft Corporation and
 also Denney Aerocraft Company)
 airplanes.
Luscombe Aircraft Corporation         AK-450 and AK-451.
 airplanes.
Mooney Aircraft Corporation           AK-450.
 airplanes.
Piper Aircraft Inc. airplanes.......  AK-451.
Robinson Helicopter Company           AK-451.
 rotorcraft.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation         AK-451.
 rotorcraft.
SOCATA, S.A., Socata Groupe           AK-450.
 Aerospatiale airplanes.
Twin Commander Aircraft LLC           AK-451.
 airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2562, Emergency Locator Beacon.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple reports of ELT failure. This AD 
was also prompted by a report of noncompliance to quality standards 
and manufacturer processes related to Ameri-King Corporation ELTs. 
Failure to adhere to these standards and processes could result in 
ELTs that do not function. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct nonfunctioning ELTs, which could delay or impede the rescue 
of the flightcrew and passengers after an emergency landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Repetitive Actions and Corrective Actions

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do general 
visual inspections of the ELT for discrepancies; checks, tests, and 
verifications, as applicable, to ensure the ELT is functioning; and 
all applicable corrective actions; in accordance with section 3.4, 
``Periodic Maintenance'' of Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-450, 
``INSTALLATION & OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision A, dated October 18, 
1995; or Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND 
OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 5, 2014; as 
applicable; except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all 
applicable corrective actions following 14 CFR 91.207(a), 14 CFR 
91.207(f), and other applicable operating rules after accomplishing 
the inspections, checks, tests, and verifications. Repeat the 
inspections and applicable checks, tests, and verifications 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months until the 
terminating action specified in paragraph (j) of this AD is done.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information

    (1) If, during any action required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any ELT fails the functional test specified in step 6., the 
verification specified in step 7., or the activation check specified 
in step 8., of section 3.4, ``Periodic Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King 
Corporation Document IM-450, ``INSTALLATION & OPERATION MANUAL,'' 
Revision A, dated October 18, 1995, replace the affected Model AK-
450-( ) ELT with a serviceable FAA-approved ELT as specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD (``Definition of Serviceable FAA-approved 
ELT''), following 14 CFR 91.207(a), 14 CFR 91.207(f), and other 
applicable operating rules.
    (2) If, during any action required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any ELT fails any of the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) 
through (h)(2)(v) of this AD, replace the affected Model AK-451-( ) 
ELT with a serviceable FAA-approved ELT as specified in paragraph 
(i) of this AD (``Definition of Serviceable FAA-approved ELT''), 
following 14 CFR 91.207(a), 14 CFR 91.207(f), and other applicable 
operating rules.
    (i) The operational test specified in step 3.4.6 of section 3.4, 
``Periodic Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-451, 
``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 
5, 2014.
    (ii) Any check specified in step 3.4.7 of section 3.4, 
``Periodic Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-451, 
``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 
5, 2014.
    (iii) The digital message verification specified in step 3.4.8 
of section 3.4, ``Periodic Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King Corporation 
Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-
4.1h, dated July 5, 2014.
    (iv) The registration verification specified in step 3.4.9 of 
section 3.4, ``Periodic Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King Corporation 
Document IM-451, ``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-
4.1h, dated July 5, 2014.
    (v) The verification of the ELT and global positioning system 
(GPS) interface specified in step 3.4.10 of section 3.4, ``Periodic 
Maintenance,'' of Ameri-King Corporation Document IM-451, 
``INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL,'' Revision NC-4.1h, dated July 
5, 2014.
    (3) If, during any action required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any of the discrepancies specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) through 
(h)(3)(vi) of this AD are found, repair all discrepancies following 
14 CFR 91.207(a), 14 CFR 91.207(f), and other applicable operating 
rules.
    (i) Any unsecured fastener or mechanical assembly.
    (ii) Any cuts or abrasions on the coaxial cable outer jacket.
    (iii) Any corrosion on the ``BNC'' connectors and mating plug on 
the antenna and the ELT main unit.
    (iv) Any wear or abrasion on the modular cable outer jacket.
    (v) Any corrosion on the jack and plug of the modular connecting 
cable.
    (vi) Any corrosion on the battery compartment.
    (4) If, during any action required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any non-functioning battery is found, replace non-functioning 
batteries with non-rechargeable batteries identified in paragraph 
(h)(4)(i) or (h)(4)(ii) of this AD, as applicable, following 14 CFR 
91.207(a), 14 CFR 91.207(f), and other applicable operating rules.
    (i) For AK-450 ELTs: For the remote cockpit switch, use a 3-volt 
lithium battery. For the ELT main unit, use four D cell (1.5 volt) 
alkaline batteries.
    (ii) For AK-451 ELTs: For the remote cockpit switch, use a 3-
volt lithium battery. For the ELT main unit, use either four D cell 
lithium (LiMnO2) batteries or four D cell lithium (LiSO2) 
batteries.

(i) Definition of Serviceable FAA-approved ELT

    For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable FAA-approved ELT is 
any FAA-approved

[[Page 35661]]

ELT other than a Model AK-450-( ) and AK-451-( ) series ELT produced 
by Ameri-King Corporation.

(j) Optional Terminating Action

    Doing the applicable action specified in paragraph (j)(1) or 
(j)(2) of this AD terminates the actions required by paragraphs (g) 
and (h) of this AD.
    (1) For aircraft required by operating regulations to be 
equipped with an ELT: Replace the ELT with a serviceable FAA-
approved ELT as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD (``Definition 
of Serviceable FAA-approved ELT'').
    (2) For aircraft not required by operating regulations to be 
equipped with an ELT: Replace the ELT with a serviceable FAA-
approved ELT as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD (``Definition 
of Serviceable FAA-approved ELT''). The ELT may be removed as an 
alternative to the ELT replacement; if an ELT is re-installed, it 
must be a serviceable ELT as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD 
(``Definition of Serviceable FAA-approved ELT'').

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gilbert 
Ceballos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-
130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; phone: 562-
627-5372; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Ameri-King Corporation, 17881 Sampson Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 
92648; telephone: 714-842-8555; fax: 714-842-4235; Internet: http://ameri-king.com; email: [email protected]. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12852 Filed 6-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P